Electrode kit for easy and fast deployment in electroencephalogram acquisition and monitoring applications

ABSTRACT

Electrodes for use in electroencephalographic recording, including consciousness and seizure monitoring applications, have novel features that speed, facilitate or enforce proper placement of the electrodes, including any of alignment indicators, tabs and juts, color coding, and an insulating bridge between reference and ground electrodes which ensures a safe application distance between the conductive regions of the two electrodes in the event of cardiac defibrillation. A method of using a set of at least four such electrodes is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/681,566, which was filed on Aug. 21, 2017 and which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/533,473, which was filed on Nov.5, 2014 and which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/942,669, which was filed on Jul. 15, 2013 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,909,317 on Dec. 9, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/110,533, which was filed on May 18,2011 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,515,522 on Aug. 20, 2013, and whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/348,154, which was filed on May 25, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sensors for fast and easy deployment inelectroencephalogram acquisition and monitoring applications, includingconsciousness and seizure monitoring. The present invention furtherrelates to electrodes for measuring biopotentials. The present inventionfurther relates to groups or sets of sensors having individual featureswhich facilitate their fast and correct placement and use and/or hinderor preclude their incorrect placement and use, without requiringextensive preparation of a patient's skin.

(2) Description of Related Art

Consciousness monitoring encompasses the field that uses measurements ofbiopotentials or other biological signals to gauge the level ofconsciousness or alertness of a subject or patient, especially inapplications such as anesthesia monitoring or testing for seizure orother brain dysfunction or injury. Consciousness monitoring isfrequently based on electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements.

In a typical diagnostic or monitoring study, a set of electrodes will beapplied to the subject or patient. Proper design of electrodes and theirplacement is often critical to the reliability, accuracy, and/orrepeatability of biopotential measurements and their analysis by thesophisticated monitoring equipment into which their signals are fed;variations in electrode placement or improper electrode placement orimproper electrode spacing may mar the study if the analysis equipmentis dependent upon proper placement, and may even unnecessarily endangerthe patient in the event that a cardiac defibrillation shock is appliedto the patient during consciousness monitoring. Traditionally, sets ofelectrodes are used in which all of the electrodes are essentiallyidentical to each other in appearance. This similarity in some cases canresult in electrode confusion on the part of the physician or technicianapplying the electrodes. Common mistakes in electrode placement includea mix-up between left-side and right-side electrode placement on thepatient, a mix-up between signal and ground electrodes on the patient,incorrect placement of the electrodes on the patient in relation to theoptimal or desired placement sites, placement of electrodes too near toeach other or too far from each other, or placement of the electrodes inwrong or sub-optimal orientations with respect to each other. Extremecases of misplacement result in entirely different electrode placementmontages being used, but even minor misplacement can have a significantimpact on the study or test results since the artifact processing,feature estimation, and suppression detection methods of test equipmentor study methods can be sensitive to electrode placement. For example,too-short interelectrode distance can result in very small amplitudesignals resembling suppression observed in some patients. Manufacturersof consciousness monitoring equipment have introduced specific sensorsto address the problem of improper electrode placement and facilitateproper signal acquisition. Previous disclosures in this field of artinclude U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,064 to Devlin et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,301,493 B1 to Marro et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,950,698 B2 to Sarkela etal., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0193068 A1 toBurton et al., all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

However, the need still exists for novel systems and methods whichbetter facilitate fast and accurate electrode placement and use and/orhinder or preclude their incorrect placement and use. It is envisionedthat once seizure detectors are as common appliances in workplaces andschools as are emergency cardiac defibrillators today, it will becritical for persons of no special training to perform fast and accurateelectrode placement. It is therefore an object of the present inventionto provide a novel electrode kit for easy and fast deployment inelectroencephalogram acquisition and monitoring applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention is an electrode forconsciousness monitoring. Preferably, the electrode has a front, a back,and bottom, top, left, and right sides.

Preferably, each electrode is constructed of at least two separatestructures: a physiological recording electrode and insulating region oradhesive collar. The electrode preferably comprises these twostructures, but is constructed in a single unit which is able to beremoved from the packaging and deployed onto a subject's skin. Thephysiological recording electrode can be of any type currently known inthe art or later developed which is capable of conducting and recordingphysiological signals from a subject. The physiological recordingelectrode preferably comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. Theupper surface is preferably that which is intended to face away from thesubject when applied to said subject, and preferably will comprise anelectrode connector (described herein). This upper surface willsometimes be referred to in this application as the electrode front. Thelower surface is preferably that face of the physiological electrodewhich, when applied to a subject or patient, comes in contact with thesubject's skin and receives and conducts the physiological signal fromthe subject to the monitoring equipment. This lower surface willsometimes be referred to in this application as the electrode back. Thelower surface may optionally further comprise at least one surfacefeature which serves to either penetrate the subject's stratum corneumor to otherwise reduce electrode impedance and increase the quality ofthe physiological signal by bypassing factors that inhibit signalrecording, such as the stratum corneum and the subject's hair. Thephysiological recording electrode is described in greater detail below.

The insulating region or adhesive collar may be of any insulatingmaterial known in the art, but preferably is a material that is pliantand comfortable to wear, such as polyester foam. This insulating regionor adhesive collar preferably comprises two surfaces: an outer surfaceand an adhesive surface. The outer surface is that face of theinsulating region or adhesive collar which, when placed on a subject'sskin, faces outward and is capable of being viewed by the wearer, auser, or some other clinician. The adhesive surface is the face of theinsulating region or adhesive collar which, when placed on a subject'sskin, comes in contact with the skin and cannot be seen. Preferably, atleast part of the adhesive surface of the electrode is adhesive orsticky for application to skin. Again, the adhesive or method ofsticking the electrode can be of any type known in the art such asacrylic adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive is capable of sticking to theskin for long periods of time (on the order of 1-24 hours) withoutlosing adhesion and can be removed without undue pain to the wearer.

Preferably, the electrode has a colored label on the electrode front oron the outer surface of the insulating region or adhesive collar,allowing easy identification to prevent misplacement. The label may beprinted directly onto the outer surface of the insulating region oradhesive collar material or may be printed onto a separate thin sheetand applied to the outer surface of the insulating region or adhesivematerial with an adhesive by any means known in the art. The label mayalso be stamped, etched, marked, engraved, burned, or affixed to theouter surface of the insulating region or adhesive collar material byany other means known in the art. The insulating region or adhesivecollar material may also be manufactured in such a way as to have thelabel embossed in the surface of the outer surface of the insulatingregion or adhesive collar material.

Preferably, the electrode has a tab. Preferably the tab isupward-pointing in relation to the electrode's intended placementorientation. Preferably, the back of the tab is not adhesive or sticky,allowing the tab to be used as a handle in the application and removalof the electrode. The tab must be of sufficient size to be easilygrasped between a typical human forefinger and thumb, i.e., no less than0.2 inches in either its width or height dimensions. Preferably the tabis roughly triangular in shape, optionally with a rounded top, andmeasures 0.510 inches wide at its base and 0.218 inches tall. Preferablythe tab is made out of the same material as, and is one with, theinsulating region or adhesive collar material of the electrode (e.g.,foam).

Preferably, the electrode label has one or more alignment indicators.The alignment indicators may be any visual cue of alignment, i.e.,anything that provides a sense of orientation of the electrode;preferably, this sense of orientation is clear and unambiguous eitherfrom the alignment indicator(s) alone or when viewed in combination withother aspects of the electrode, e.g., the geometry of the electrodeitself and especially any juts or tabs on the electrode. The alignmentindicators preferably correspond to a direction or an alignment in whichthe electrode is preferred to be oriented when applied to the subject orpatient. The alignment indicators may be dots, lines, arrows, crosses,daggers, triangles, ovals, text, depictions of pointed fingers, or anyother symbols or configuration of markings, etchings, or stampings whichcan show both position and orientation. Preferably, the alignmentindicator is an arrow. Preferably it is of sufficiently bold andoutstanding character as to be readily visible. The alignment indicatormust not be just a negligibly thin hatch mark or seam. Preferably, thestalk of the arrow is more than one millimeter in width and more than 5millimeters in length, the head of the arrow is more than fivemillimeters wide at its base, and the arrow is of a solid color thatcontrasts with the rest of the label color. Also, preferably, theelectrode has on one or more of its sides a jut, and the electrode labelhas at the position of the jut and pointing in the direction of the juta corresponding alignment indicator (e.g., arrow). In some embodiments,preferably, the electrode and its label have only one such jut andcorresponding alignment indicator. In other embodiments, preferably, theelectrode and its label have numerous alignment indicators which may bedistributed periodically or randomly over the surface of the electrodeand/or its label. While the alignment indicators may be of the same typefor each electrode, preferably, they are visually distinct, one from theother, for each electrode, by shape, color, text meaning, or any othervisual cue.

Also preferably, the electrode has both a handling tab (as describedabove) and exactly one jut and corresponding alignment indicator suchthat the angle between the tab and the jut distinguish the electrode asunique among several such electrodes in a set, each having a differentangle between tab and jut. For example, one electrode may have a 90°(clockwise) angle between tab and jut, whereas another has a 180°(clockwise) angle between tab and jut, whereas a third might have a 270°(clockwise) angle between tab and jut, helping to distinguish the threeelectrodes and diminish the chance of confusion between electrodes withregards to their placement on a patient in an electrode montage.Preferably, the arrow or other alignment indicator is applied to apatient such that it points at some distinctive feature, such as down atthe bridge of the nose from the middle of the forehead, or to the cornerof the eye from the temple.

Instead of or in addition to a jut, any of the electrodes of the presentinvention may have one or more geometry or surface irregularities whichserve the same purpose as the jut, i.e., to aid in placement andorientation of the electrode and/or to enforce proper placementdistances. Such geometry irregularities may include, but are not limitedto, indentations in the electrode (including its insulating outerportion), oblong shapings or protrusions, increased or decreasedthicknesses or different textures (including bumps, ridges, Brailledots, or similar), and/or areas of smoother, rougher, more matted orshinier finish, such as an area with a more polished, shiny or slipperysurface, or an area with a surface feeling more like sandpaper. Anexample would be an electrode that, instead of or in addition to a jut,has one side or portion of one side that is shinier and slicker to thefeel than the rest of the electrode.

The electrode may be a physiological electrode of any type known in theart. In some embodiments, the electrode is preferably a pre-gelledelectrode having a spongy well of electrically conductive gel. In otherembodiments, the electrode is preferably a dry electrode having surfacefeatures capable of penetrating the stratum corneum of the skin, forexample of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,286,864 B1 to Schmidtet al. or any of its related applications, all of which are hereinincorporated by reference. In other embodiments the electrode may be acombined gel/penetrator electrode.

The electrode should have a connector for connecting to an electrodelead. In some embodiments the connector is preferably a standardelectrode snap connector. The standard electrode snap connector consistsof a single round conductive button, usually metal, with a diameter ofapproximately 3.9 millimeters at its widest point and approximately 3.73millimeters at its thinned midsection, which comes approximately 2.7millimeters down from the button top. Having a standard snap connectorpermits the use of standard leads at low cost. In other embodiments theconnector is a snap connector that is larger or smaller or different inshape than a standard electrode snap connector. Having a snap connectorthat varies in size or shape from a standard connector enforces the useof a non-standard lead known to have superior performancecharacteristics such as better shielding for lower noise, or variousother proprietary improvements. Furthermore, having a snap connectorthat varies in size or shape from a standard connector enforces the useof the electrode as electrodes with a standard connector will not matewith the non-standard electrode lead, which precludes the use of otherelectrodes that may yield suboptimal signal quality. Also, using snapconnectors of different sizes and/or shapes for each electrode in theelectrode kit helps further uniquely differentiate among the electrodesand prevent wrong connections. Standard connectors are round in shape,but if a different-shaped connector would be desired, it could betriangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, orshaped like stars of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 points.

In some embodiments, two of the above-described electrodes are conjoinedby their mutual foam insulating region or adhesive collar. In such anembodiment, the planar distance between the conductive regions of thetwo electrodes is enforced by the continuous insulating region oradhesive collar between the two conductive regions. This continuousinsulating region or adhesive collar forms a kind of insulating bridgebetween the two electrodes. Preferably, this distance is at least theminimum effective distance for preventing electrical conduction betweenthe two electrodes during cardiac defibrillation. The known andpreferred minimum effective distance is 17 millimeters. “Planardistance” as referred to in this specification means the linear distanceas measured when the electrodes lie flat in a plane, and not, forexample, when they are folded up upon each other.

In some embodiments, the present invention comprises a set of electrodesfor biosignals measurement for consciousness monitoring. Each electrodein the set may have any or all of the features described above.Preferably, the set comprises at least four electrodes, including afirst electrode for the patient's right temple, a second electrode forthe patient's left temple, a reference electrode, and a groundelectrode. Each electrode has a front, a back, and bottom, top, left,and right sides. Each electrode back has a conductive region surroundedby an insulating region or adhesive collar.

As described previously, preferably, at least part of the back of eachelectrode is adhesive or sticky for application to skin.

Preferably, each electrode has a label on the electrode front, eachlabel being visually distinct from the labels of the other electrodes,and the labels having the characteristics previously described in thisdisclosure. The feature providing the visual distinction may be color,pattern, reflectivity, or any other visually distinguishable feature orcombination of features, but preferably it is color, and so preferablyeach electrode label has a unique color. The unique color label on eachelectrode helps the user to identify the desired location and positionfor each given electrode. Any set of colors may be selected for theelectrode, but for example, preferably, the right temple electrode labelis orange in color, the reference electrode label is beige in color, theground electrode label is gray in color, and the left temple electrodelabel is yellow in color. The difference in colors helps preventconfusion of the electrodes during placement, and further assists inproper and faster electrode placement with the use of an easy-to-useelectrode placement map having a color legend. The electrode placementmap and legend is preferably provided with the packaging of theelectrodes. Furthermore, each electrode lead should preferably echo thecolor of the corresponding electrode it mates with in order tofacilitate easy and correct connection.

Preferably, all of the electrodes in the set are provided on a singlesheet of thin plastic, styrene, or similar material, and each electrodeeasily peels off. Further preferably, the electrodes are positioned orordered on the plastic or styrene sheet in roughly the same arrangementthey are intended to be applied to the patient, for example, with theright temple electrode on the left of the sheet, and the bridgedreference and ground electrodes in the middle of the sheet, and the lefttemple electrode on the right of the sheet, providing for a helpfulspatial correspondence between original packaging placement and eventualplacement of the electrodes on the patient.

Preferably at least three of the at least four electrodes each have anupward-pointing pointed tab at the electrode top of the type describedpreviously, the back of the tab not being adhesive or sticky, each tabhaving sufficient size to be grasped between a human forefinger andthumb. If two or more electrodes are joined by one or more insulatingbridges, as with the reference and ground electrodes in someembodiments, the two or more electrodes may share only one handling tab.

One or more of the electrodes in the set also preferably have theorientation juts and alignment indicators as described previously. Forexample, preferably, in the set, the right temple electrode has on itsright side a rightward-pointing jut, and the right temple electrodelabel has at the position of the rightward-pointing jut and pointing inthe direction of the rightward-pointing jut a correspondingrightward-pointing alignment arrow. Also preferably, in the set, theleft temple electrode has on its left side a leftward-pointing jut, andthe left temple electrode label has at the position of theleftward-pointing jut and pointing in the direction of theleftward-pointing jut a corresponding leftward-pointing alignment arrow.Also preferably, in the set, the reference electrode has on its bottomside a downward-pointing jut, and the reference electrode label havingat the position of the downward-pointing jut and pointing in thedirection of the downward-pointing jut a corresponding downward-pointingalignment arrow. If two or more electrodes are joined by one or moreinsulating bridges, as with the reference and ground electrodes in someembodiments, the two or more electrodes may share only one orientationjut and/or alignment arrow.

Also preferably in the set of electrodes, the reference and groundelectrodes are conjoined by the insulating bridge described above. Insuch a case, the planar distance between the conductive regions of thereference electrode and the ground electrode is enforced by a continuousinsulating region or adhesive collar between the two conductive regions,and said distance is at least the minimum effective distance forpreventing electrical conduction between the two electrodes duringcardiac defibrillation.

In some embodiments, preferably, each electrode has an independentconnector for connecting to an electrode lead, and further preferably,at least one connector is a standard electrode snap connector. Havingindependent connectors, and having all of the connectors be snapconnectors, enforces or conduces the application of pressure to theelectrode after its application to the patient during the attachment ofsnap electrode leads, sealing the electrode to the skin surface,applying the gel and/or pressuring in the electrode penetrators, if any,to provide for good signal conductance and improved signal quality, aswell of good adhesion of the electrode to the skin for longer-term use.In some embodiments, one or more of the connectors is not a standardelectrode snap connector. It may be a snap connector of slightly largeror small size or different shape than standard to provide for theadvantages described above.

This application also discloses a method of using the electrode setdescribed above comprising the steps of peeling the right templeelectrode from a backing and applying the right temple electrode to theright temple of a patient such that the alignment arrow on the righttemple electrode label aligns with the eye line of the patient andpoints to the right side of the patient's right eye; peeling the lefttemple electrode from a backing and applying the left temple electrodeto the left temple of the patient such that the alignment arrow on theleft temple electrode label aligns with the eye line of the patient andpoints to the left side of the patient's left eye; peeling the referenceand ground electrodes from a backing and applying the referenceelectrode to the middle forehead of the patient approximately 1.5 inchesabove the patient's eye line such that the alignment arrow on thereference electrode label aligns with the midline of the patient andpoints downward toward the patient's nose, and applying the groundelectrode to the left forehead of the patient at the distance from thereference electrode enforced by continuous insulating region or adhesivecollar between the two conductive regions of the reference electrode andground electrode; applying electrode leads to the individual electrodes;and using biopotentials measured by the electrodes to monitor theconsciousness of the patient. The distance of “approximately 1.5 inches”can be measured as the combined width of the index, middle, and ringfingers as measured at the fingertips, as indicated in FIG. 6, thoughfor those with wider fingers, two fingers may suffice. It will beappreciated that the first three steps of applying the electrodes may beperformed in any order with respect to each other.

One embodiment of the present invention is set ofelectroencephalographic monitoring electrodes comprising at least fourelectrodes, including a first electrode for the patient's right temple,a second electrode for the patient's left temple, a reference electrode,and a ground electrode, each electrode having a front, a back, andbottom, top, left, and right sides, each electrode back having aconductive region surrounded by an insulating region, at least part ofthe back of each electrode being adhesive or sticky for application toskin, each electrode having a label on the electrode front, each labelbeing visually distinct from the labels of the other electrodes, atleast three of the at least four electrodes each having anupward-pointing pointed tab at the electrode top, the back of the tabnot being adhesive or sticky, each tab having sufficient size to begrasped between a human forefinger and thumb, the right temple electrodehaving on its right side a rightward-pointing jut, and the right templeelectrode label having at the position of the rightward-pointing jut andpointing in the direction of the rightward-pointing jut a correspondingrightward-pointing alignment arrow, the left temple electrode having onits left side a leftward-pointing jut, and the left temple electrodelabel having at the position of the leftward-pointing jut and pointingin the direction of the leftward-pointing jut a correspondingleftward-pointing alignment arrow, the reference electrode having on itsbottom side a downward-pointing jut, and the reference electrode labelhaving at the position of the downward-pointing jut and pointing in thedirection of the downward-pointing jut a corresponding downward-pointingalignment arrow, wherein the planar distance between the conductiveregions of the reference electrode and the ground electrode is enforcedby a continuous insulating region between the two conductive regions,and said distance is at least the minimum effective distance forpreventing electrical conduction between the two electrodes duringcardiac defibrillation.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of using a setof electroencephalographic monitoring electrodes comprising the steps ofbefore or after either of the following two steps, peeling a righttemple electrode from a backing and applying the right temple electrodeto a patient having a forehead, a right temple, a left temple, aneyeline, and a right and left eye, such that an alignment arrow on alabel on the right temple electrode aligns with the eye line of thepatient and points to the right side of the patient's right eye, afteror before the preceding step or the following step, peeling a lefttemple electrode from a backing and applying the left temple electrodeto the left temple of the patient such that an alignment arrow on alabel on the left temple electrode aligns with the eye line of thepatient and points to the left side of the patient's left eye, after orbefore either of the preceding two steps, peeling a reference and aground electrode from a backing and applying the reference electrode tothe middle forehead of the patient approximately 1.5 inches above thepatient's eye line such that an alignment arrow on a label on thereference electrode aligns with a midline of the patient and pointsdownward toward the patient's nose, and applying the ground electrode tothe left forehead of the patient at the distance from the referenceelectrode enforced by a continuous insulating region between twoconductive regions of the reference electrode and ground electrode,applying electrode leads to the individual electrodes, and usingbiopotentials measured by the electrodes to monitor theelectroencephalogram of the patient.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an electrode forelectroencephalographic monitoring, the electrode having a front, aback, and bottom, top, left, and right sides, the electrode back havinga conductive region surrounded by a foam insulating region, at leastpart of the back of the electrode being adhesive or sticky forapplication to skin, the electrode having a colored label on theelectrode front, the electrode having an upward-pointing pointed tab atthe electrode top, the back of the tab not being adhesive or sticky, thetab having sufficient size to be grasped between a human forefinger andthumb, the electrode having on one of the sides a jut, and the electrodelabel having at the position of the jut and pointing in the direction ofthe jut a corresponding alignment arrow.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is an electrode formonitoring physiological signals that can be deployed quickly and easilycomprising a physiological recording electrode comprising an uppersurface and a lower surface, an adhesive collar comprising an outersurface and an adhesive surface, and an electrode label, wherein thelabel comprises an alignment indicator corresponding to a direction inwhich the electrode is to be oriented when placed on a subject.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a set of electrodesfor monitoring physiological signals that can be deployed quickly andeasily comprising at least four electrodes, each comprising aphysiological recording electrode and an adhesive collar comprising anouter surface and an adhesive surface, wherein each physiologicalrecording electrode comprises an upper surface with a connector and alower surface, wherein each electrode has a label on the outer surfaceof the adhesive collar, the labels containing an alignment indicatorcorresponding to a direction in which each electrode assembly is to beoriented on a subject.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a set of electrodesfor monitoring physiological signals that can be deployed quickly andeasily comprising at least four electrodes, each comprising aphysiological recording electrode and an adhesive collar comprising aouter surface and an adhesive surface, wherein each physiologicalrecording electrode comprises an upper surface with an independentconnector and a lower surface, wherein each electrode has a label on theouter surface of the adhesive collar, the labels containing an alignmentindicator corresponding to a direction in which each electrode assemblyis to be oriented on a subject, wherein the connector on the uppersurface of each physiological recording electrode has a distinct andunique shape in relation to the other electrodes connectors contained inthe set.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a set ofelectroencephalographic monitoring electrodes comprising at least fourelectrodes, including a first electrode for the patient's right temple,a second electrode for the patient's left temple, a reference electrode,and a ground electrode, each electrode having a front, a back, andbottom, top, left, and right sides, each electrode back having aconductive region surrounded by an insulating region; each electrodefront being visually distinct from the fronts of the other electrodes;at least three of the at least four electrodes each having anupward-pointing pointed tab that is an extension of the insulatingregion extended in the same plane as the insulating region, the back ofthe tab not being adhesive or sticky, each tab having sufficient size tobe grasped between a human forefinger and thumb; the right templeelectrode, left temple electrode, and reference electrode each having ontheir fronts one or more alignment indicators that visually aid in theproper placement of each of those electrodes; wherein the planardistance between the conductive regions of the reference electrode andthe ground electrode is enforced by a continuous insulating regionbetween the two conductive regions, and said distance is at least theminimum effective distance for preventing electrical conduction betweenthe two electrodes during cardiac defibrillation. Preferably, thealignment indicators visually aid in the proper placement of each of theelectrodes by visually indicating electrode placement position anddirection. Preferably, the alignment indicators are numerous.Preferably, the alignment indicators on any single electrode areidentical, each to the other. Preferably, they are uniformly spacedapart as to form an orderly pattern across the surface of the electrodein both dimensions of the surface plane. Optionally, at least one of thealignment indicators of at least one electrode comprises an arrow,triangle, finger, or other pointing indicator. Optionally, at least oneof the alignment indicators of at least one electrode comprises text.Preferably, different electrodes may be distinguished by differentalignment indicators or different patterns of alignment indicators.Optionally, at least one electrode has a notch in its insulating region.Optionally, part of the top surface of at least one electrode has adifferent surface texture or surface finish than another part of the topsurface of that electrode. The distinguishing surface finish may beshinier or smoother or have greater or lesser specularity, gloss, orreflectivity. Preferably, each electrode has a different color.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a set ofelectroencephalographic monitoring electrodes comprising at least fourelectrodes, including a first electrode for the patient's right temple,a second electrode for the patient's left temple, a reference electrode,and a ground electrode, each electrode having a front, a back, andbottom, top, left, and right sides, each electrode back having aconductive region surrounded by an insulating region; each electrodefront being visually distinct from the fronts of the other electrodes byat least any two of pictorial pattern, color, shape, visible texture,reflectivity, or specularity; the right temple electrode, left templeelectrode, and reference electrode each having on their fronts one ormore alignment indicators that visually aid in the proper placement ofeach of those electrodes by visually indicating electrode placementposition and direction; the right temple electrode having on its rightside a rightward-pointing jut, and the right temple electrode having onits front one or more alignment indicators that visually aid in theproper placement of the right temple electrode; the left templeelectrode having on its left side a leftward-pointing jut, and the lefttemple electrode having on its front one or more alignment indicatorsthat visually aid in the proper placement of the left temple electrode;the reference electrode having on its bottom side a downward-pointingjut, and the reference electrode having on its front one or morealignment indicators that visually aid in the proper placement of thereference electrode; wherein the planar distance between the conductiveregions of the reference electrode and the ground electrode is enforcedby a continuous insulating region between the two conductive regions,and said distance is at least the minimum effective distance forpreventing electrical conduction between the two electrodes duringcardiac defibrillation. Optionally, at least one of the alignmentindicators of at least one electrode comprises an arrow, triangle,finger, or other pointing indicator. Optionally, at least one of thealignment indicators of at least one electrode comprises text.Preferably, different electrodes may be distinguished by differentalignment indicators or different patterns of alignment indicators.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an electrode forelectroencephalographic monitoring, the electrode having a front, aback, and bottom, top, left, and right sides, the electrode back havinga conductive region surrounded by a foam insulating region; theelectrode having a colored label on the electrode front; the label beingan unregistered label having on its surface numerous alignmentindicators which are spaced periodically or randomly across the surfaceof the label, and which all point in substantially the same direction soas to provide a visual cue as to the placement and orientation of theelectrode. Optionally, at least one of the alignment indicators of atleast one electrode comprises an arrow, triangle, finger, or otherpointing indicator. Optionally, the electrode further has anupward-pointing pointed tab at the electrode top, the back of the tabnot being adhesive or sticky, the tab having sufficient size to begrasped between a human forefinger and thumb. Optionally, the electrodehas on one of the sides a jut, either in addition to or instead of thetab. A related embodiment is the above-described electrode conjoined toa second electrode for electroencephalographic monitoring having aconductive region surrounded by a foam insulating region, the twoelectrodes being conjoined by a continuous mutual foam insulatingregion, the first electrode being a reference electrode and the secondelectrode being a ground electrode, wherein the planar distance betweenthe conductive regions of the two electrodes is enforced by thecontinuous insulating region between the two conductive regions, andsaid distance is at least the minimum effective distance for preventingelectrical conduction between the two electrodes during cardiacdefibrillation. Preferably, each electrode further comprises anelectrode lead snap connector, wherein the two snap connectors differ insize and/or shape.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe detailed description which follows, and in part will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognizedby practicing the invention as described herein, including the detaileddescription which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are merely exemplary of theinvention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework forunderstanding the nature and character of the invention as it isclaimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodimentsof the invention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples and operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Perspective view of an electrode set of the present inventionfrom the bottom.

FIG. 2. Plan view of combined printing and cutting templates of theelectrode set of the present invention from the front, with the backingsheet indicated by a dashed line.

FIG. 3. Plan view of the label printing template of the electrode set ofthe present invention from the front.

FIG. 4. Plan view of the foam cutting template of the electrode set ofthe present invention from the front.

FIG. 5. Perspective view of an electrode set of the present inventionfrom the back.

FIG. 6. Placement diagram for the electrode set of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7. Cross-sectional view of the epidermis layer and an illustrationof the insertion of the penetrator(s) of the dry electrode used in someembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A-8F. Plan views of electrodes of various embodiments of thepresent invention having unregistered labels with peridocally orrandomly distributed alignment indicators.

FIGS. 9A-9F. Plan views of electrodes of various embodiments of thepresent invention having exemplary variations on electrode geometry andsurface finishes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated anddescribed. In various preferred embodiments, four thin preparedelectrodes come as a package as shown in FIG. 1. The right templeelectrode 1 comes placed on the left side of a thin plastic, or similarmaterial, backing sheet 5, and the left temple electrode 2 comes placedon the right side of the backing sheet. The reference electrode 3 andground electrode 4 are conjoined by an insulating bridge 6. Eachelectrode has its own independent connector 7. As illustrated, theconnectors are standard-size metal button or snap connectors, but aspreviously described, the connectors can be of any type or form factorknown in the art. The right temple electrode, reference electrode andleft temple electrode each have upward-pointing handling tabs 8 on theirtop sides. The handling tab is one and the same material as the foaminsulating body structure 9 of the electrode with the exception that thehandling tab is not backed with an adhesive like the rest of theelectrode insulating body structure. This allows the tab to be bentfrontward and grasped between the forefinger and thumb to more easilypeel the electrode from the backing sheet 5 or to peel it off thesubject when done. The insulating body structure is foam having athickness of 1/16 inch in the illustrated embodiment, but in variationscan be made of other insulating, pliant material and can be anypracticable thickness. Each electrode also has a printed label 10. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the labels are printed stickers that eachhave an adhesive backing and are applied to the foam insulating bodystructure, but as described previously, the labels can take a variety ofother forms and be manufactured and/or applied in any other ways knownin the art. The insulating body structure of the left temple, righttemple, and reference electrodes also have orientation juts 11 which aresimply protrusions out from the rounded bodies of the electrodes. Aswith the handling tabs, the orientation juts are one and the samematerial as the foam insulating body structure 9. On each label, at thelocation and in the orientation of the jut beneath it, a bold arrow 12is printed as a readily visible guide for correct electrode placement.Preferably, the electrodes are also conveniently packaged with anelectrode skin prep pad (not shown), e.g., a very mildly abrasive paperor thin cloth pad saturated with rubbing alcohol or similar, which canbe used to clean and prepare the electrode sites on the surface of theskin prior to application of the electrodes.

The tabs and juts may be better seen in the plan view of FIG. 2, whichcombines the printing and cutting templates used in the manufacture ofthe electrode set of the present invention. The fronts of the electrodesare shown, and the backing sheet 5, which is not actually part of theprinting or cutting templates, is indicated by a dashed (broken) line.

Looking ahead now to FIGS. 8 and 9, FIGS. 8A through 8F show variationsof the right temple electrode 1 of the previous figures that make use ofunregistered labels. Here, the alignment indicators are numerous and areperiodically or randomly distributed across the surface of the electrodeand/or its label. For example, instead of a single arrow 12 alignmentindicator printed exactly over the electrode's jut 11 as in FIGS. 1 and2, FIG. 8A shows numerous small arrows printed on the electrode and/orits label which are equally effective in conveying orientation. Asanother example, FIG. 8B uses horizontal lines for the same purpose;FIG. 8C, triangles; FIG. 8D, ovals; FIG. 8E, illustrations of pointinghands; FIG. 8F, text. It will be appreciated that these drawings serveonly as exemplary of the innumerable forms of alignment indicators thatmay be used. The alignment indicators may be printed, stamped, etched,marked, engraved, burned, affixed, or embossed on the electrode fronts,either directly or on adhesive labels that are applied to the electrodefronts. It is envisioned that different electrodes may be distinguishedby different alignment indicators. For one example, one may have ovalswhile another uses triangles. For another example, the right templeelectrode may use a pointing right hand, while the left temple electrodemay show a pointing left hand. It is also stressed that more than onetype of alignment indicator may be used on a single electrode. Forexample, an electrode might show both text and one or more arrows.

FIGS. 9A through 9F show variations of the right temple electrode 1 ofthe previous figures that use electrode geometry and surface finish cuesother than tabs and/or juts to provide information about placement andorientation. (As in FIGS. 8A-8F, the electrodes illustrated here useunregistered labels which may be printed, etched, affixed, embossed,etc. onto the electrode.) Innumerable variations may be envisioned butonly a few are illustrated here as exemplary. For example, instead of ajut, the electrode of FIG. 9A has a right side with a textured surfacefinish 91. Instead of a texture, the finish could simply be a differentcolor or different specularity, glossiness, reflectivity, and/orsmoothness—anything that provides a distinguishing look and/or feel.Similarly, FIG. 9B shows a rough and/or bumpy area 92 on the right sideof the electrode and FIG. 9D shows a shiny surface 94 rendered in thedrawing with broken hatched lines. The electrode of FIG. 9C, has adepression or dimple or notch 93 instead of a jut. FIG. 9E shows anelectrode with a jut but no tab; despite the lack of the tab, thealignment indicators still distinguish the illustrated right templeelectrode from its left temple electrode counterpart. The electrode ofFIG. 9E may also be envisioned (although not illustrated) without thejut—i.e., without any tab or jut. The electrode in FIG. 9F has notches95, 96 where both the tab and the jut would otherwise be. Again, it willbe appreciated that these drawings serve only as exemplary of theinnumerable forms of geometries and surfaces that may be used.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the label printing template used in themanufacture of the labels for the electrode set of the presentinvention. Different hatching patterns indicate the different colorsused in the templates. The right temple electrode label is orange(preferably, Pantone color Orange 021 C), the left temple electrodelabel is yellow (preferably, Pantone 101 C), the reference electrodelabel is beige (preferably, Pantone 713 C) and the ground electrode isgray (preferably, Pantone Cool Gray 9 C). Cut-out holes are provided inthe middle of each label for the electrode connectors. These holes areround and 0.440 inches in diameter. Excepting juts and flat tops andbottoms, the labels are round with widths of 1.100 inches. The labelsare manufactured with center-to-center distances of 1.500 inches. Theright temple electrode label is marked with a numeral 1, the left templeelectrode label is marked with a numeral 2, the reference electrodelabel is marked with a letter R and the ground electrode label is markedwith a letter G to assist in easy recognition and proper designation andplacement of electrodes. The labels may also have other markingsindicating the manufacturer, brand or trade name, model number, serialnumber, expiration date, patent protection status, etc. The labels arebacked with a permanent adhesive and are applied to the foam of theelectrode body after printing.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the foam cutting template used in themanufacture of the insulating body structures for the electrode set ofthe present invention. The handling tabs are 0.510 inches in width atthe base, except for the handling tab of the reference electrode, whichis 0.528 inches in width at the base, and are 0.218 inches in height.These dimensions are ample enough to allow the handling tabs to beeasily grasped by the thumb and forefinger in order to peel the tabs offand manipulate the electrodes for placement. With the exception of thetabs and juts, the insulating body structures are 1.404 inches inheight. The right and left temple electrodes are 1.336 inches wide andthe conjoined reference and ground electrodes are 2.687 inches wide. Anyelectrically insulating, pliant material may be used for the insulatingbody structures, so long as it is biocompatible according to existingstandards for surface electrodes in contact with the skin for 16 hoursmaximum application. The adhesive applied to the back of the foam is ofan aggressive tackiness. The foam is 1/16 inches in width. The foam iswhite in color. It will be appreciated that these details may vary andstill be within the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an electrode set of the presentinvention from the back. The electrodes 1 2 3 4, rendered in dashedlines, are visible through the transparent or translucent backing sheetand the conductive regions of the electrodes comprising the gel-filledwells or reservoirs 13 surrounding the electrode proper 14 are visible.The round gel-filled wells 13, measuring about 0.64 inches in radius andhaving a depth nearly equal to the thickness of the insulating bodystructures, are filled with a light, thin sponge material saturated witha conductive gel. The electrode proper 14, visible in FIG. 5 as theblack disc at the center of each well 13, is made of stainless steel orsimilar conductive metal or other conductive material. In themanufacture of the electrodes, the button connector 7 can be mated andcrimped to the electrode proper 14 with the thinned top of theinsulating body structures sandwiched in between, sealing the top of thewell 13 and forming the electrode as unit having a gelled inside and adry outside.

Once assembled and placed on the backing sheet, the electrodes can bepackaged in a sealed paper pouch for distribution and can be stored on ashelf for some definite period of time if of the gelled type or anindefinite period of time if of the dry electrode type. Preferably, thegelled electrodes have a shelf life of at least a year without sufferinga reduction in gel conductivity that would significantly impact sensorperformance. More preferably, the shelf life is at least 2 years. Evenmore preferably, the shelf life is at least 5 years. An extended shelflife permits the electrode kit to be stored with a shelf-mountedemergency seizure detector for years and still work reliably whenneeded.

FIG. 6 shows the placement diagram for the electrode set of the presentinvention, intended to be shown on the packaging of the electrodes.Reference to the diagram facilitates fast and correct placement of theelectrodes. As shown, the alignment arrows of the temple electrodesshould align with the patient's eye line and the alignment arrow of thereference electrode should align with the patient's midline. Thereference and ground electrodes should be placed on the forehead roughly1.5 inches above the eye line. The placement diagram indicates a helpfulguide for instantly and easily measuring the appropriate distance. Thejuts on the temple electrodes further help enforce appropriate distancesin electrode placement. Because the reference and ground electrodes areconjoined by an insulation bridge, they help proof the setup againstdamage to the diagnostic equipment or patient injury from cardiacdefibrillator impulses while also assuring accurate placement of theground in relation to the reference. The color-coded electrodes reducethe chances that left and right electrodes are inadvertently mixed up bythe physician or technician doing the electrode placement, or moreimportantly, the person of no special training in an emergency scenarioand using a emergency seizure monitoring kit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating the insertion of the penetrator(s) ofthe dry electrode used in some embodiments of the present invention intothe epidermis. The penetrator(s) 16 are used to push through the highimpedance upper layer or stratum corneum of the epidermis to reduce thecontact impedance of the dry physiological electrode. Preferably, thepenetrator(s) 16 also “lock” the electrode into the chosen skin regionand thus reduce motion artifacts. The penetrator(s) 16 are further usedfor physiological sensing in the lower layers of the epidermis. Thelower layers of the epidermis include the other layers below the stratumcorneum of the epidermis. Physiological sensing generally is the sensingof electric potentials. The penetrator(s) 16 are used transmit theelectric potential from the lower layers of the skin, particularly theepidermis and more particularly the stratum germinativum layer of theepidermis. The electric potential then can be measured by conventionalmeasuring devices.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, itis intended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A set of electroencephalographic monitoring electrodescomprising: at least four electrodes, including a first electrode forthe patient's right temple, a second electrode for the patient's lefttemple, a reference electrode, and a ground electrode, each electrodehaving a front, a back, and bottom, top, left, and right sides, eachelectrode back having a conductive region surrounded by an insulatingregion; each electrode front being visually distinct from the fronts ofthe other electrodes; and the right temple electrode, left templeelectrode, and reference electrode each having on their fronts one ormore alignment indicators that visually aid in the proper placement ofeach of those electrodes by visually indicating electrode placementposition and direction.
 2. The electrode set of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the alignment indicators of at least one electrodecomprises an arrow, triangle, finger, or other pointing indicator. 3.The electrode set of claim 1, wherein at least one of the alignmentindicators of at least one electrode comprises text.
 4. The electrodeset of claim 1, wherein different electrodes may be distinguished bydifferent alignment indicators or different patterns of alignmentindicators.
 5. The electrode set of claim 1, wherein at least oneelectrode has a notch in its insulating region.
 6. The electrode set ofclaim 1, wherein part of the top surface of at least one electrode has adifferent surface texture or surface finish than another part of the topsurface of that electrode.
 7. The electrode set of claim 6, wherein thedistinguishing surface finish is shinier or smoother.
 8. The electrodeset of claim 1, wherein each electrode has a different color.
 9. A setof electroencephalographic monitoring electrodes comprising: at leastfour electrodes, including a first electrode for the patient's righttemple, a second electrode for the patient's left temple, a referenceelectrode, and a ground electrode, each electrode having a front, aback, and bottom, top, left, and right sides, each electrode back havinga conductive region surrounded by an insulating region; each electrodefront being visually distinct from the fronts of the other electrodes byat least any two of pictorial pattern, color, shape, visible texture,reflectivity, or specularity.
 10. The electrode set of claim 9, whereinat least one electrode has on its front one or more alignment indicatorsthat visually aid in proper electrode placement by visually indicatingelectrode placement direction, and wherein at least one of the one ormore alignment indicators of the at least one electrode comprises anarrow, triangle, finger, or other pointing indicator.
 11. The electrodeset of claim 9, wherein at least one electrode has on its front one ormore alignment indicators that visually aid in proper electrodeplacement by visually indicating electrode placement direction, andwherein at least one of the one or more alignment indicators of the atleast one electrode comprises text.
 12. The electrode set of claim 9,wherein at least two of the electrode have on their fronts one or morealignment indicators that visually aid in proper electrode placement byvisually indicating electrode placement direction, wherein the at leasttwo electrodes may be distinguished by different alignment indicators ordifferent patterns of alignment indicators.
 13. An electrode forelectroencephalographic monitoring, the electrode having a front, aback, and bottom, top, left, and right sides, the electrode back havinga conductive region surrounded by a foam insulating region; theelectrode having a colored label on the electrode front; the label beingan unregistered label having on its surface numerous alignmentindicators which are spaced periodically or randomly across the surfaceof the label, and which all point in substantially the same direction soas to provide a visual cue as to the placement and orientation of theelectrode.
 14. The electrode of claim 13, wherein at least one of thealignment indicators of at least one electrode comprises an arrow,triangle, finger, or other pointing indicator.
 15. The electrode ofclaim 13, further having an upward-pointing pointed tab at the electrodetop, the back of the tab not being adhesive or sticky, the tab havingsufficient size to be grasped between a human forefinger and thumb. 16.The electrode of claim 15, further having on one of the sides a jut. 17.The electrode of claim 13, further having on one of the sides a jut. 18.The electrode of claim 17, further having a pointed tab, the back of thetab not being adhesive or sticky, the tab having sufficient size to begrasped between a human forefinger and thumb.
 19. The electrode of claim13 conjoined to a second electrode for electroencephalographicmonitoring having a conductive region surrounded by a foam insulatingregion, the two electrodes being conjoined by a continuous mutual foaminsulating region, the first electrode being a reference electrode andthe second electrode being a ground electrode, wherein the planardistance between the conductive regions of the two electrodes isenforced by the continuous insulating region between the two conductiveregions, and said distance is at least the minimum effective distancefor preventing electrical conduction between the two electrodes duringcardiac defibrillation.
 20. The electrodes of claim 19, each electrodefurther comprising an electrode lead snap connector, wherein the twosnap connectors differ in size and/or shape.